Ceanothus Dark Star (California Lilac)

Incredibly showy, award-winner Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’ (California Lilac) is a spreading, evergreen shrub noted for its abundant clusters of fragrant, dark royal blue flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the bush, creating a breathtaking floral display.

Incredibly showy, award-winner Ceanothus 'Dark Star' (California Lilac) is a spreading, evergreen shrub noted for its abundant clusters of fragrant, dark royal blue flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the bush, creating a breathtaking floral display. The blooms are borne on gracefully arching branches clad with tiny, ovate, dark green leaves with deeply impressed veins. Usually ignored by deer, this pretty shrub is prized by birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. A great California Lilac selection for coastal gardens.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows with a dense, vase-shaped habit, up to 5-6 ft. tall (150-180 cm) and 8-10 ft. wide (240-300 cm).
  • Thrives in average, well-drained soils in full sun. Appreciates afternoon shade in hot summer areas. Provide a sheltered position. Requires little or no water in summer. Drought tolerant.
  • Excellent plant for sunny areas, ideal as a specimen plant, wall-side borders, banks and slopes, hedges and screens or planted in shrub borders. Best suited to coastal gardens
  • Easy to grow, this plant is difficult to transplant once established.
  • Prune after flowering.
  • Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
  • Watch for scale insects, honey fungus and Phytophthora root disease.

Requirements

Hardiness 8
– 10

Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Ceanothus – California Lilac
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)Summer (Early)
Height 5'
– 6'
(150cm
– 180cm)
Spread 8'
– 10'
(240cm
– 3m)
Spacing 120″ (300cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden